Nasri has admitted that he endured a season from hell last year, beginning with a three-match ban by the French national team in punishment for his ­behaviour at Euro 2012.

His club life was no happier – with the then City boss Roberto Mancini publicly revealing he would like to “punch” the 26-year-old midfielder.

But this season Nasri has been one of the few consistent elements in City’s inconsistent start – and the Frenchman believes it is all down to new manager Manuel Pellegrini going about his business ‘the Arsene Wenger way’.

Nasri said: “Last year was a bit ­difficult for me personally because of the problem I had in the Euros and other stuff.

“So this summer I cleared my head and came back with the determination to have a great season.

“But, right now, everything is fine. I’m in a better place – and that’s what I want. He [Pellegrini] does remind me of Arsene in respect of the way he works.

“He has the same approach in the way he talks to players and tells them when things are good and when they are bad,

“But it is always constructive and you always know what he wants from you, and what he wants you to bring to the team.

“I feel that he trusts me and that he gives me responsibilities on the pitch. When you have a manager like that, you want to repay that sort of faith – and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Nasri revealed that a meeting with a rival club’s manager this summer helped him to recover his confidence.

He refused to reveal the identity of his mentor, but Wenger was a big influence on Nasri during a three-year stint with Arsenal before moving to City in the summer of 2011.

Nasri added: “I wanted to forget all about last season.

“I met with a manager who I talk ­with regularly and who ­understands me, and we already have a good relationship. That made things pretty easy. When you have the talent, it’s always there within you – it’s just a question sometimes of confidence, and that’s probably what I lacked last year.

“I’ve learned a lot over the years, but I am an honest person and when I’m not happy, I can’t fake a smile. If there is a problem, you will know straight away because you will see it on my face. And if I have an issue with someone, I will be upfront and tell that person rather than keep it from them.

“It’s better to be open so people know where they are, but for me I need to be happy.

“When I’m happy and smiling, I play my best.

“I have to smile because we, as footballers, are really lucky to do the job we do. But this is not just a job for me. It’s my passion. So I have to play with a smile, because that’s when I’m at my best.”

Title-favourites City suffered their fourth defeat in 11 league games when they were beaten at Sunderland last week.

And that has put Pellegrini under the microscope.

The Chilean promised to bring a more attacking approach to the Etihad, and has used Nasri in tandem with David Silva behind two central strikers.

(Photo: Alex Livesey)

As a consequence, a team that boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons, has looked vulnerable.

Nasri said: “The style we are playing suits my game and it suits David Silva’s because, when you have the ball, there is always a solution and that’s how it has to be if you want to play attractive football.

“Of course, every game and opponent is different.

“Everyone is trying to do the best with what they have, and that might mean playing a team who don’t want to compete with us, but want to stop us playing.

“Sometimes that means parking the bus, and trying to catch us on the break.

“I remember one season, when I was at Arsenal and we played City and City parked the bus. The ­challenge is to find a solution.”

Nasri added: “I have fantastic backing from our supporters, who deserve nothing but the best.

“Even though we hadn’t won the title for 44 years, the stadium was still full every week for many years. When you wait so long, but remain loyal, you deserve to have success.

“I came to this club to go to the next level, which meant winning the title. That’s what happened in my first year.

“I still watch the re-run of the game and I will never forget that moment. It was so incredible.